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72% Iraqi Turnout Stuns U.S. Press
NewsMax.com ^ | 1/30/05 | Carl Limbacher

Posted on 01/30/2005 7:57:33 AM PST by kattracks

Preliminary reports that turnout in Sunday's Iraq election has topped 70 percent have surprised American reporters, many of whom had predicted that terrorists would succeed in sabotaging the U.S.- backed referendum.

"I have to say, it's going a lot better than I thought it would," Rod Nordland, Newsweek's Baghdad bureau chief, said Sunday as the numbers came in. "The attacks by the insurgents, while they're numerous, haven't reached that kind of critical threshold where it really kept everybody home," he told the Fox News Channel.

With an hour left to go before the polls in Iraq close, Reuters reported that turnout had reached 72 percent nationwide. Election officials in Shiite areas say turnout there may top 90 percent.

Initial voter response was slow as the polls opened late Saturday U.S. time, but increased dramatically after threats of spectacular attacks failed to materialize. Of 5300 polling stations, only 15 reported attacks. 29 people were killed, including five police officers.

"Once it seemed like the worst was over, [voters] came out in very large numbers," Nordland said. While Sunni turnout was lower, "it was a lot better than would have been expected."



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: elections; iraq; iraqielection; voterturnout; voting
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To: mowkeka

On CBS radio rather said at 930 iraq time that voter turnout was very low i was watching fox news and people were lined up outside polling places !

Dan is stuck in hate George Bush mode as are other liberal America haters !


161 posted on 01/30/2005 10:23:41 AM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
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To: Siegfried
BI heard that BBC and Fox are stating the number now as about 60%. Any word on what the number will come in at?

Careful overstating this number - those idiots will use any reduction as "proof" that the election's success was overstated.

Not that anyone with brains would care what the dummies say.
162 posted on 01/30/2005 10:25:02 AM PST by Fido969
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To: COUNTrecount
UGH..unnecessary.
163 posted on 01/30/2005 10:36:39 AM PST by snarkytart
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To: Happy2BMe
BUMP^
Excellent news about the successful Iraqi elections!
Screw the MSM, the story is getting out anyway!

Ditto to your thoughts on our troops, Bless them all.
They are heros!

164 posted on 01/30/2005 10:44:23 AM PST by FBD ("A nation without borders is not a nation." -- Ronald Reagan)
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To: Fenris6

Isn't it amazing how the MSMand the leftist elite hate it when the little people truely have a voice?


165 posted on 01/30/2005 10:48:48 AM PST by fella
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To: kattracks

It's a large turnout. Iraq won't have to be renamed from Ihraq to Rutuba.


166 posted on 01/30/2005 10:51:43 AM PST by RightWhale (Please correct if cosmic balance requires.)
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To: Peach

Hi Peach.
I think the number was lower then that, I believe...
I heard the total number of casualties at about 30, counting the bad guys.

What a wonderful success story huh? Stunning actually.


167 posted on 01/30/2005 10:53:23 AM PST by FBD ("A nation without borders is not a nation." -- Ronald Reagan)
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To: Fenris6
"The attacks by the insurgents, while they're numerous, haven't reached that kind of critical threshold where it really kept everybody home," he told the Fox News Channel.

I think that the low number of attacks was the result of the "no cars" policy. It's hard to carry big bombs on foot, and strike and run raids become immeasureably harder when you can't run.

168 posted on 01/30/2005 10:53:40 AM PST by Zeroisanumber
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To: Our man in washington

An odd coincidence...72...as if a sign by Allah perhaps. We need to pump this up more.


169 posted on 01/30/2005 10:56:30 AM PST by pepsionice
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To: The Bat Lady
But in my precinct we usually run about 10-20% turnout. And no one is even shooting at them. Sad isn't it?

What do you expect, not too many people in this country appreciate their freedom (and may not even recognize it until it's gone).
170 posted on 01/30/2005 11:00:10 AM PST by af_vet_rr
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To: COUNTrecount

Oddly, I think ABC's headline has it right.


171 posted on 01/30/2005 11:04:25 AM PST by Burr5
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To: Fenris6

Very nice!


172 posted on 01/30/2005 11:06:25 AM PST by Mad_Tom_Rackham (This just in from CBS: "There is no bias at CBS")
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To: FBD

Hi, FBD. It was a stunning success. I think you're right about those numbers. What a great day.


173 posted on 01/30/2005 11:08:37 AM PST by Peach
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To: FreeKeys; Boazo; Grampa Dave; MeekOneGOP; PhilDragoo; TexasCowboy; B4Ranch; devolve; ...
BTT #159 on TROOP RESPONSE TO MSM VOTER TURNOUT
174 posted on 01/30/2005 11:10:34 AM PST by Happy2BMe ("Islam fears democracy worse than anything If the imams can't control it - they will kill it.)
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To: Burr5
Be prepared to hear from the MSM that 72% is down from Saddam's mandate of 100%.
175 posted on 01/30/2005 11:10:41 AM PST by COUNTrecount
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To: kattracks

You found some great pics for this thread. I approve.


176 posted on 01/30/2005 11:11:43 AM PST by Happy2BMe ("Islam fears democracy worse than anything If the imams can't control it - they will kill it.)
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To: Dan Evans

Turner has that look on his face that says "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids!"


177 posted on 01/30/2005 11:12:21 AM PST by Clemenza (I Am Here to Chew Bubblegum and Kick Ass, and I'm ALL OUT OF BUBBLEGUM!)
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To: FreeKeys

You gotta love the subtleness of our heroes :)


178 posted on 01/30/2005 11:14:28 AM PST by Toidylop
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To: Fenris6

LOL. Have you been over to the dark side? I just saw this photo at DU posted by someone with a total of two posts. I think the nick was Whatsthebeef.


179 posted on 01/30/2005 11:18:15 AM PST by mware
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

What was Afghanistan's turnout?

That was heralded, even in the press, as a great success.

If it is comparable to this turnout, it shows the hypocrisy of the press.


180 posted on 01/30/2005 11:19:48 AM PST by rwfromkansas ("War is an ugly thing, but...the decayed feeling...which thinks nothing worth war, is worse." -Mill)
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